Trade Unions and Northern Gateway announce MOU to Benefit Working Families and Communities

PRINCE GEORGE, BC, April 15, 2014 /CNW/ - A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) announced today between Northern Gateway Pipelines and trade unions representing pipeline construction workers ensures that workers and their families benefit from the project with good jobs, good paycheques, and training opportunities.

The signed MOU guarantees a minimum target of approximately 2,100 person years of employment of union labour on the project.  These targets will be established in detailed Project Labour Agreements.

The MOU also ensures that the Project Labour Agreements include guarantees consistent with Northern Gateway's publically-stated commitments to local business opportunities, high-quality workmanship, worker and public safety, and environmental protection.  And it complements existing agreements with Aboriginal communities guaranteeing employment and training opportunities.

The trade union signatories to the MOU with Northern Gateway and the Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada (PLCAC) are as follows:

• The Laborers' International Union of North America;
• The International Union of Operating Engineers;
• The International Brotherhood of Teamsters; and,
• The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada.

"As proud trade union members representing tens of thousands of hard-working Canadians, we believe that Northern Gateway will benefit working families. It will create thousands of well-paying jobs and training opportunities we need to build strong communities," said Lionel Railton, Acting Canadian Regional Director, International Union of Operating Engineers.

"Northern Gateway has been through the most-rigorous environmental review of its kind in Canadian history and it will create thousands of good jobs," said Roy Finley, Construction Director, Teamsters Canada, International Brotherhood of Teamsters.  "The MOU we've signed builds on that review and our shared objective to construct this project with the best workforce in the world."

"Our Union Contractors and members know how to build pipelines to the highest safety and environmental standards anywhere in the world," said Rob Kinsey, U.A. International Representative - Western Canada and Mainline/Maintenance Pipeline for Canada, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada. "We get the job done, we get the job done right, and have been doing it for generations.   And just as importantly, we create a lasting economic, social and environmental legacy for communities and children to build on."

"Northern Gateway is in Canada's national interest, securing our energy future and our economy for generations to come," said Greg Harris, Sub-Regional Manager, Laborers' International Union of North America.   "Opening up new markets for our most valuable commodity will provide additional resources to invest in vital social programs, like health and education that make our country strong."

Northern Gateway Leader, Janet Holder, said the MOU builds on Northern Gateway's commitment to build a safer, better pipeline that supports our commitment to first maximize local employment and then regional and national employment. "Canada's building trade unions represent the best workforces anywhere in the world," said Holder.  "This MOU enables Northern Gateway, PLCAC Contractors and the Building Trade Unions to collaboratively plan for project success through the full benefit of their skills, professionalism and commitment to build stronger communities - goals we share."

SOURCE: Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada

For media inquiries: 

Northern Gateway Pipelines:
Ivan Giesbrecht
[email protected]
604-694-7757

International Union of Operating Engineers:
Lionel Railton
[email protected]
604-308-1678

International Brotherhood of Teamsters: 
Roy Finley 
[email protected]  
403-660-2927

Laborers' International Union of North America: 
Greg Harris 
[email protected] 
604-951-8877

United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada: 
Rob Kinsey 
[email protected] 
[phone]

Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada 
Neil Lane 
[email protected] 
905-847-9383